The Dakotas

The Dakotas

North Dakota and South Dakota

Traveling with Clay Again

In the Midst Of A Pandemic

Road trip

July 2020

This is the 4th road trip I have taken with Clay.  Even though he is only 17 years old, he is a good travel companion.  We went to the Dakotas. North Dakota was my 49th state to visit.  I only have Hawaii left to visit ad then I have seen all 50 states.

We flew in to Bismarck and I went to pick up our rental car.  the man looked at my license and wished me a happy birthday.  Without shame, I asked if he had any special discount for an ancient 65 year old on her birthday.  He sighed and said no.  But then an idea come to him.  He upgraded my economy car to a midnight black, matte, Chevy Camero convertible.  The car was fucking beautiful.  I was nervous about driving it.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park- buffalo, prairie dogs, wild horse

Mount Rushmore- the thought of Mount Rushmore is more interesting than actually seeing the monument.  It's an effort to get there and once there, you realize you only need a minute or two at the site.

Crazy Horse- the project is admirable but the attraction is a bit of a financial rip[off.

Lost in the Badlands- porcupine, white owls, trotting herd of buffalo, trespassing on a reservation

Straight Outta Quarantine Parade- the whole town came out and paraded through town to celebrate their freedom from lockdown because of covid.

Cowgirl Boots- I want a pair of these boots but the ones I want are $600+ and I am not paying that much money for uncomfortable heavy boots.

Climbing around the Badlands- I wandered around the flat area of the mounts and Clay climbed to the top.

Heading Home- in the last half hour of our trip, we were heading back to the airport to return the car.  Out of nowhere, an elk jumped a cement barricade and ran right in front of me.  I was driving at about 60 miles. He made such an effort to get away from me that I feared he would trip over his own legs and I would run over him.  We were so close to each other that we had eye contact.  He got away in the knick of time. And my heart raced for the next hour.

Breweries Visited

•    Miner Brewery
•    Bismarck Brewery